'Use it or lose it' plea from business over City air link

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There are concerns that the Fokker F50 Aurigny leases to operate the route at present is rarely more than a quarter full on flights to and from the island, though business leaders are generally enthusiastic about the service and say its convenience still affords a full working day in the capital.

Aurigny launched London City flights with a twice-daily service on 8 September, with seats available from £89 one-way.

A flight leaves the island at 7.50am and lands back in Guernsey at 8pm.

The airline said that its carryings in September were 25% better than it had forecast, but commercial director Malcolm Coupar said Aurigny had not anticipated rapid growth on the route. It has a three-year growth forecast with an aim of taking carryings to at least 60% capacity.

Peter Mills, chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association, is among those who have used the new service.

'City is a marvellous airport, I have always loved using it,' he said. 'But it always takes time for people to change their habits.

'My worry would be that it would send out the wrong signals if this route were to be dropped quickly.'